Trying to reach her by phone, Elodie's first message exchanges were surprising:
- Hello François-Xavier, thank you for your interest. We're a week away with the kids, so it's hard to hold a phone conversation...
Or next :
- The morning was busier than expected. Sorry, folks.
Or a few days later:
- They've fallen asleep on me, so as soon as I can extricate myself, I'll call you.
- Well, when I tried to put them down, everyone woke up. So I put my big one in front of a Disney...
And when we finally manage to call each other, we hear the children crying and asking questions in the background.
It has to be said that Elodie's day-to-day life is no picnic. This mother of 2 little girls (aged 2 and 6 months) decided with her husband Romain to live aboard a sailboat. And to spice things up a bit, with their cat and dog!
The desire to travel
A couple for 10 years, Elodie and Romain love to travel. On average, once a year, they take beautiful trips, enjoying leaving as much as coming back, in love with their living space. So they naturally imagine one day taking a longer trip around Europe or even the world. The idea of a camper van has crossed their minds, but Elodie can't imagine spending any time on the road. Besides, she doesn't think it's ideal to keep a dog and cat in the cabin.
Why not a sailboat?
While following a couple on YouTube who are traveling in a van in Africa, they come across an episode in which they join a crew and embark on a cruise. Romain woke up in the middle of the night and suggested to Elodie (who was 4 months pregnant at the time) that they go sailing.
Not sailors for 2 pennies
Elodie and Romain have never sailed. Their only experience of the sea is that they both dive. Once the decision was made, the life change began. Romain, who had been an employee for 10 years, reached the end of his professional career and resigned. He took advantage of the opportunity to do a 10-day internship at Le Glénan and returned delighted. Elodie, a shopkeeper, sells her business. It's time to find a boat/home for the whole family.
Not too expensive, not too big
The specifications for the sailboat are simple. We need a unit that's not too big for a single person to handle. The first mate will have to look after the children. Elodie would like 3 cabins for practicality, while Romain, who is 1.82 m tall, is hoping for headroom and light. Last but not least, the yacht has to fit within the available budget of around ?30,000. But above all, it must have its own berth.
Road trip to find the rare pearl
Living in Limoges, a first visit to an opportunity in La Rochelle didn't turn out to be the right one. Finally, the couple accelerated their search. The car was converted into a van, and the pregnant wife, husband and little girl set off on a Mediterranean road trip from Perpignan to Marseille. Fortunately, the dog and cat were able to be placed... They set off with 15 visits in mind, but the first few quickly gave them an idea of what they were looking for, and narrowed down the list to 9 boats.
A Sun Light 31 in Port Camargue
In Port-Camargue, we finally discovered a 1990 Sun Light 31 on offer for ?29,000 (alas, with only 2 cabins, you have to make concessions). She will be fitted out on board at the end of July 2024. When you come from a 57 m2 home, you have to make choices to fit everything into a 10 m monohull. The first 6 months on board will be spent sorting, tidying and getting rid of the unnecessary. However, it's impossible to do without certain essentials, such as cat litter or toys for the children...
A life in the port with its constraints
Little by little, life at the port settles in. With its constraints. The first changes on board were the installation of nets in the lines to prevent the little girl from getting lost overboard, and the installation of a gangway to make coming and going easier. Fortunately, the berth is not far from the commons. But showers and laundry have to be organized. For example, there are no shower facilities for infants. There's no changing table, so you have to bring your own bouncer. Similarly, you have to call the harbor master's office barge twice a week to empty the black water tank.
6 people living in 31 feet!
But Elodie is in good spirits, and talks only of "organization", not constraint. With the onset of winter, she has discovered the formation of mold, which disappeared with the purchase of a dehumidifier. Then there's the electric water heater, which triggers a power cut if the radiator is plugged in at the same time. A little mental gymnastics when doing the dishes.
But I have no regrets about this new way of life. Today, the first sea outings take place just off the harbor, to moor the family. Everyone wears his or her own lifejacket, so that the children are fully aware of the importance of safety on board. After 9 months on board, Elodie and Romain wouldn't change a thing. Even though they've often heard that 6 people living on a 31-footer is crazy, this couple realized that even ashore, they were always in the same room, very close to each other. Living on a sailboat gives them the opportunity to keep a reassuring eye on their children. According to them, it's all a question of habit and logistical technique.
A postponed departure
Today, the trip is postponed. The family is delighted to discover the Camargue region. The first few days on board have given them a chance to fine-tune their sailing skills, a sort of apprenticeship to learn what it's like to live with children on a sailboat. This first season will serve to build up their experience, with what they hope will be longer and longer sailing trips. And rather than a grand voyage around the world, they are now planning a Mediterranean escapade. And if that goes well, why not consider buying a bigger boat to accommodate the family and go further afield?
